L  E  T  T  E 


FROM  THE 


^>etretarpof  ©Bar, 


TO  THE 


CHAIRMAN  of  the  COMMITTEE, 

Appointed  on  the  9th  of  December  laft, 

ON    SO    MUCH    OF  THE 

SPEECH  of  the  PRESIDENT, 


AS    RELATES  TO 


"  A  Syftem  of  National  Defence,  Commenfurate 
with  our  Refources,  and  the  fituation  of  our  Country." 


13th  February,  1800. 
Ordered  to  lie  on  ihe  Table. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/letterfromsecret00unit_8 


LETTER. 


War  Department, 
January  31/,  1800. 

SIR, 

1  HAVE  the  honor  to  fubmit,  in  compliance  with 
your  requifition,  a  few  fupplementary  obfervations,  and 
a  view  of  the  probable  expence  of  the  Military  Schools 
refpe&fully  recommended  to  confideration  in  my  re- 
port, communicated  to  Congrefs,  by  a  meffage  dated 
the  13th  inftant,  from  the  Prefident  of  the  United  States. 

The  report  contemplates  certain  military  fchools  as 
an  effential  mean,  in  conjunction  with  a  fmall  military 
eitablifhmeht,  to  prepare  for,  and  perpetuate  to  the 
United  States,  at  a  very  moderate  expence,  a  body  of 
fcientific  officers  and  engineers,  adequate  to  any  future 
exigency,  qualified  to  difcipline  for  the  field,  in  the 
fhorteft  time,  the  mod  extended  armies,  and  to  give  the 
moft  decifive  and  ufeful  effects  to  their  operations. 

It  is  not  conceived  the  United  States  will  ever  think 
it  expedient  to  employ  militia  upon  their  frontiers,  or  to 
garrifon  their  fortified  places  in  time  of  peace,  nor  that 
they  will  be  difpofed  to  place  their  reliance,  for  defence 
againft  a  foreign  invading  enemy,  upon  militia  alcxie; 
but  that  they  will  at  all  times  maintain  a  body  of  regular 
troops,  commenfurate  with  their  ability  to  mainta/n  them, 
and  the  necefiity  or  policy  that  may  demand  fuch  an 
eftablifhment. 

To  qualify  and  keep  our  citizens  in  general,  of  fuit- 
able  bodily  ability,  prepared  to  take  'he  field,  againft 


4 


regular  forces,  would  demand  the  moft  radical  changes 
in  our  militia  fyftem,  and  fuch  an  uninterrupted  feries 
of  training,  difcipline  and  inftruction,  to  be  applied,  as 
well  to  the  officers,  as  to  the  men,  as  comports  with  re- 
gular troops  only, — while  in  its  refults,  the  meafure 
would  be  found  on  account  of  the  lofs  to  the  commu- 
nity, occafioned  by  the  abftraction  from  labour  or  oc- 
cupation, and  direct  coft,  greatly  to  exceed  in  expence, 
what  would  be  required  to  fupport  a  moderate  military 
eftablifhment.  This  pofition,  which  is  thought  to  be  a 
found  one,  does  not  bring  into  view,  the  effe6fs  of  the 
meafure  upon  the  morals,  induftry  and  habits  of  the 
citizens. 

Practically  confidercd,  may  we  not  as  well  calculate  to 
be  commodioufly  lodged,  and  have  the  fcience  of  build- 
ing improved,  by  employing  every  man  in  the  commu- 
nity in  the  conftruction  of  houfes,  and  by  exploding 
from  fociety  as  ufelcfs,  architects,  mafons  and  carpen- 
ters, as  expect  to  be  defended  efficiently  from  an  invad- 
ing enemy,  by  caufing  every  citizen  to  endeavour  to 
make  himfelf  mafter  of  the  feveral  branches  of  the  art 
of  war,  and  excluding  engineers,  fcientific  officers  and 
regular  troops. 

There  is  certainly,  however,  a  fyftem  as  it  refpects 
our  militia,  which  if  reforted  to  and  perfevered  in,  may 
fecure  the  utility  of  their  fervices  in  times  of  danger, 
without  much  injury  to  the  morals,  or  materially  affect- 
ing the  general  induftry  of  the  nation. 

When  the  perfect  order  and  exact  difcipline  which 
are  effential  to  regular  troops  are  contemplated,  and 
with  what  eafe  and  precifion  they  execute  the  diffe- 
2<?nt  manoeuvres  indifpenfable  to  the  fuccefs  of  offen- 
or  defenfive  operations,  the  conviction  cannot  be 
refifta],  that  fuch  troops  will  always  have  a  decided  ad- 
vantage^ver  more  numerous  forces  compofed  of  unin- 
rufted  nulitia  or  undifciplined  recruits. 
It  cannot      be  forgotten,  that  in  our  revolutionary 
war,  it  was  not  Mntil  after  feveral  years  praftice  in  arms, 
and  the  extenfion  0f  the  periods  for  which  our  foldiers 


5 


were  at  firft  enlifled,  that  we  found  them  at  all  qualified 
to  meet  in  the  field  of  battle  thofc  to  whom  they  were 
oppofed.  The  occafional  brilliant  and  juftly  celebrated 
atb,  of  fome  of  our  militia,  during  that  eventful  period, 
dctrad  nothing  from  this  dear  bought  truth.  With  all 
the  enthufiafm  which  marked  thoie  days,  it  was  perceiv- 
ed and  univerfally  felt,  that  regular  and  disciplined 
troops  were  indifpenfable,  and  that  it  was  utterly  unfafe 
for  us  to  truft  to  miiitia  alone  the  iflue  of  the  war.  The 
pofition  therefore  is  illuftrated,  that  even  in  times  of  the 
greateft  danger,  we  cannot  give  to  our  miiitia,  that  de- 
gree of  difcipiine,  or  to  their  officers  that  degree  of  mili- 
tary fcience  upon  which  a  nation  may  fafely  hazard  its  fate. 

The  Great  Man  who  conduded  the  war  of  our  revo- 
lution, was  continually  compelled  to  conform  his  con- 
dud  to  the  circumftances  growing  out  of  the  experi- 
mental leffons  juft  mentioned.  What  was  the  fecret  of 
his  condud  ?  Mult  it  be  told  ?  It  may,  and  without  ex- 
citing a  blufh  or  uneafy  fenfation  in  any  of  his  furviving 
companions  in  arms.  He  had  an  Army  of  Men,  but 
he  had  few  Officers  or  Soldiers  in  that  army.  Both 
were  to  be  formed,  which  could  not  be  effeded  in  a 
(ingle  campaign,  or  while  his  regiments  were  continu- 
ally returning  home,  and  like  the  waves  of  the  fea,  each 
in  their  turn  loft  in  the  abyfs  and  fucceeded  by  new 
ones.  It  was  not  till  after  he  was  furniftied  with  a  lefs 
fluduating  and  more  liable  kind  of  force,  that  he  could 
commence  with  a  profped  of  advantage,  military  inftruc- 
tions  or  inforce  t..e  ordinances  of  difcipiine  :  and  even 
then  he  felt  that  time  and  inflrujUors  were  required  to 
render  his  labours  ufeful  and  enable  his  army  to  meet 
the  enemy  upon  any  thing  like  equal  terms.  Are  we  to 
profit  by  or  is  this  experience  to  be  loft  to  our  country  ? 

The  art  of  war,  which  gives  to  a  fmall  force  t^e  fa- 
culty to  combat  with  advantage  fuperior  number,  indif- 
ferently inflrutled,  is  fubjeded  to  mechanics/,  geome- 
trical, moral  and  phyfical  rules;  it  calls  for  profound 
ftudy;  its  theory  is  immenfe;  the  detail  infinite,  and 
its  principles  rendered  ufeful  only  by  a^ppy  adaptation 


6 


of  them  to  all  the  circumftances  of  place  and  ground, 
varioufly  combined,  to  which  they  may  be  applicable. 
Is  it  poffible  for  an  officer  of  militia,  to  obtain  a  compe- 
tent knowledge  of  thefe  things  in  the  fhort  fpace  his 
ufual  avocations  will  permit  him  to  devote  to  their  ac- 
quifition  ?  Is  it  poffible  for  any  officer,  having  acquired 
a  knowledge  of  thefe  details,  this  theory  and  thefe  prin- 
ciples, to  carry  them  into  ufeful  practice  with  a  handful 
of  militia,  in  the  few  days  in  each  year  allotted  by  law 
to  trainings  and  exercifes?  Is  that  perfect  fubordi na- 
tion and  obedience  of  men  to  their  officers,  and  of  each 
inferior  to  his  fuperior  officer,  through  all  the  grades  of 
rank  from  the  corporal  up  to  the  commander  in  chief, 
which  forms  a  vital  principle  effential  to  the  energy  and 
force  of  armies,  to  be  acqu.red  by  or  communicated  to 
a  body  of  militia  organized  and  trained  according  to  our 
laws  ?  And  does  it  con  fid  with  a  humane  and  enlighten- 
ed  policy  to  march  men  fo  imperfectly  inftrucled  and 
difciplined,  unlefs  in  cafes  of  the  lafl  extremity,  again  ft 
veteran  troops  (where  this  principle  reigns  in  full  acti- 
vity) commanded  by  fkilful  and  Scientific  officers  ?  Ad- 
mitting, however,  that  militia  officers  during  the  few 
months  the  law  permits  their  corps  to  be  retained  in 
aBual  ftrvice,  could  render  their  men  by  inceffant  in- 
ftruciion  capable  of  fulfilling  the  object  of  their  deftina- 
tion  ;  yet  as  that  advantage  is  but  momentary,  as  thefe 
borrowed  inftruments  mull  be  quickly  returned  to  the 
depot  which  furniffied  them,  as  new  ones  mud  be  refort- 
ed  to  and  fucceffively  inflructed  ;  what  can  be  expected 
from  luch  a  fyftem,  but  perpetual  incoherence  between 
the  means  and  the  end,  and  certain  fhipwreck  to  the 
k^ft  connected  and  combined  military  projects.  This 
to  fure  is  the  old  fiory — it  cannot,  however,  be  too 
often  repeated,  becaufe  it  can  never  be  refuted. 

The^cret  of  discipline,  and  the  importance  of  mi- 
litary icieuee?  were  well  known  to  thofe  ancient  govern- 
ments whoit  rrenerals  and  troops  have  filled  the  world 
with  the  fpWdor  of  their  victories.  According  to 
Scipio,  nothing  <:0ntributed  to  the  fuccefs  of  cnterpri- 


7 


zes  fo  much  as  skill  in  the  individual  officers.  The 
feverity  of  the  Roman  difcipline  is  well  underftood,  and 
the  eftimation  in  which  it  was  held  by  Cosfar.  Livy  has 
obferved,  that  fcience  does  more  in  war  than  force. 
Vigicius,  that  it  is  neither  numbers,  nor  blind  valor 
which  infures  victory,  but  that  it  generally  follows  ca- 
pacity and  fcience  in  war.  Machiavel,  who  has  written 
upon  military  affairs,  placed  fo  much  dependence  on 
an  exact  difcipline,  and  military  fcience,  as  to  efface  from 
his  lift  of  great  generals,  all  thofe,  who  with  fniall 
armies,  did  not  execute  great  things :  but  to  the  com- 
mittee, it  is  unneceffary  to  repeat  the  authorities  of  ge- 
nerals and  writers  of  the  firft  reputation,  to  (lie w  the 
high  importance  attached  to  military  fcience  and  difci- 
pline in  all  ages  of  the  world,  or  refort  to  hiftory  for 
evidence  of  its  effects.  They  muff  be  well  acquainted 
with  the  fa&s,  and  no  doubt  will  give  them  their  due 
weight  in  confidering  the  fubjects  now  before  them. 

There  is  however  an  authority,  fo  much  in  point 
relative  to  the  effentiality  of  the  institution  in  queftion, 
that  I  cannot  forbear  to  mention  it. 

The  Marfhal  de  Puifegur,  who  has  left  an  excellent 
treatife  on  the  art  of  war,  the  refult  of  his  experience, 
obferves : 

"  I  have  been  perhaps  at  as  many  fieges  as  any  of  thofe 
in  fervice,  and  in  all  for*s  of  grades ;  as  fubaltern  I  have 
commanded  troops  and  working  parties  in  a  fiege ;  as 
Major  I  have  conduced  to  the  trenches  and  pofts  to 
which  they  were  deftined  troops  and  labourers ;  I  have 
been  Major  of  Brigade,  Marflial  de  camp,  and  Lieu- 
tenant General :  however,  as  I  have  not  learned  forti- 
fication, my  practice  has  not  enabled  me  to  acquit  my- 
felf  in  conducting  attacks,  fo  that  I  fhould  be  obliged 
to  fuffer  my  felf  to  be  inftructed  in  many  things  by  the 
lights  of  Engineers,  their  practice  being  founded  upon 
principles  which  arc  known  to  them,  an  ad  van/age  I 
have  not  in  this  branch  of  war." 

This  is  the  candid  acknowledgement  of  a  man  who 
had  ferved  fixty  years  in  the  army,  who  /iad  learned 


8 


the  military  art  under  a  father,  that  in  forty  years  fer- 
vice,  had  been  prefent  at  two  hundred  fieges,  and 
who  had  himfelf  paffed  through  all  the  military  grades, 
and  arrived  from  an  inferior  to  a  fuperior  rank,  but 
after  having  deferved  each  fucceffive  promotion  by 
fome  diftinguifhed  action. 

A  flight  attention  to  circumftances,  and  the  actual 
pofition  of  our  country,  muft  lead  to  the  conviction, 
that  a  well  connected  feries  of  fortifications,  is  an  ob- 
ject of  the  higheft  importance  to  the  United  States, 
not  only  as  thefe  will  be  conducive  to  the  general  fecu- 
rity,  but  as  a  mean  of  leffening  the  neceflky,  and 
confequently  the  expence  of  a  large  military  eftablifh- 
ment. 

By  ftrongly  fortifying  our  harbours  and  frontiers,  we 
may  reafenably  expect,  either  to  keep  at  a  diftance 
the  calamities  of  war,  or  render  it  lefs  injurious  when 
it  fhall  happen.  It  is  behind  thefe  ponderous  maffes 
only,  that  a  fmall  number  of  men  can  maintain  them- 
felves  for  a  length  of  time  againft  fuperior  forces.  Im- 
pofing  therefore  upon  anenemy,  who  may  have  every 
thing  to  tranfport  acrofs  the  Atlantic,  the  neceflity  of 
undertaking  long  and  hazardous  fieges,  encreafes  the 
chances  againft  his  undertaking  them  at  all,  or  if  he 
does,  in  defpite  of  fuch  circumftances,  infures  to  us 
the  time  he  muft  confume  in  his  operations,  to  rally 
our  means  to  a  point  and  unite  our  efforts  to  refift  him. 

We  muft  not  conclude  from  thefe  brief  obfervations, 
that  the  fervices  of  the  Engineer  is  limited  to  con  {truck- 
ing, connecting,  confolidating,  and  keeping  in  repair 
fortifications.  This  is  but  a  fingle  branch  of  their  pro- 
feffion,  though  indeed  a  moft  important  one.  Their 
utility  extends  to  almoft  every  department  of  war,  and 
every  defcription  of  general  officers,  befides  embracing 
whoever  refpects  public  buildings,  roads,  bridges, 
canais  and  all  fuch  works  of  a  civil  nature.  I  confi- 
der  it  iherefore  of  vaft  confequence  to  the  United 
States,  that  it  mould  form  in  its  own  bofom,  and  out  of 
its  own  native  materials,  men  qualified  to  place  the 


9 


country  in  a  proper  pofture  of  defence,  to  infufe  fcience 
into  our  army,  and  give  to  our  fortifications  that  de- 
gree of  force,  connection  and  perfection,  which  can 
alone  counterbalance  the  fuperiority  of  attack  over 
defence. 

With  thefe  advantages  in  profpecl,  is  it  not  incum- 
bent  upon  us  to  hallen  with  all  reafonable  diligence, 
the  commencement  and  completion  of  an  inftitution 
eflential  to  realize  them.  And  are  expenditures  which 
give  fuch  valuable  refu-hs,  to  be  otherwife  viewed  than 
as  real  ceconomy.  It  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  England 
had  neither  native  artillerifts  or  engineers  before  the 
time  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  and  till  after  fhe 
eftablifhed  military  fchools. 

I  (hall  now,  having  refpectfully  fubrnitted  thefe  ob- 
fervations,  prefent  an  eftimate  of  the  expence  of  the 
military  fchools  which  it  appears  to  me  ought  to  be  im- 
mediately inflituted. 

Agreeably  to  the  plan  of  the  military  academy, 
the  directors  thereof  are  to  be  officers  taken  from  the 
army,  confequently  no  expence  will  be  incurred  by 
fuch  appointments. 

The  plan  alfo  contemplates,  that  officers  of  the  army, 
cadets  and  non-commiffioned  officers,  fhall  receive  in- 
ftruction  in  the  academy.  As  the  rations  and  fuel 
which  thefe  are  entitled  to  in  the  army,  will  fuffice  for 
them  in  the  academy,  no  additional  expence  will  be 
required  for  thefe  objects  of  maintenance  while  there. 

The  expences  of  fervants  and  certain  incidental 
charges  relative  to  the  police  and  adminiftration  may 
be  defrayed  by  thofe  who  fhall  be^admitted  out  of  their 
pay  and  emoluments. 

According  to  the  plan  contemplated,  fifty  officers, 
cadets,  or  non-commirlioned  officers  may  be  annua^y 
inftrufted  in  the  fundamental  fchool  and  an  equal  num- 
ber in  the  fchool  of  artillerifts  and  engineers;  the  only 
fchools  which  it  is  deemed  expedient  to  bring  i/*o  ope- 
ration. 


To  inftruft  thcfe  may  require,  when  both  fchools 
are  in  full  activity,  the  following  proieffors,  viz  : 

In  the  fundamental  School. 

Dots.  Cts. 

2.  PuqifeflGbrs  of  Mathematics,  at  8oo  Dols. 

per  annum,  and  2  rations  per  day,  1848  20 

2.  Ditto,  of  Geography,  and  Natural  Phi- 

lofophy,  -  -  -  1848  20 

1.  Ditto,  of  Chemiftry,  -  -  924  10 

1.  Defigning  and  Drawing  Mailer,         -        724  10 


5>344  60 

In  the  School  of  Artillerijls  and  Engineers. 

1.  Profeffor  of  Mathematics,  at  800  Dols. 

per  annum,  and  2  rations  per  day,  -  924  10 
1.  Ditto,  of  Geography  and  Natural  Phi- 

lofophy,  -  -  -  924  10 

J.  Ditto,  of  Chemiftry,  -  -         924  10 

1.  Ditto,  of  Architecture,  -  -      924  10 

2.  Defigning  and  Drawing  Makers,  at  600 

Dols.  per  annum,  and  2  rations  per  day,    1448  20 


5,144  60 


Total,       10,489  20 

The  colt  of  the  buildings  for  thefe  two  fchools,  as 
the  one  or  the  other  of  the  annexed  plan  fhall  be 
adopted  will  be,  viz: 

Plan  by  John  Foncin,  Engineer. 

For  the  Fundamental  School.  1 9,423 

Ihc  School  of  Artillerifts  and  Engineers, 
fuppored  to  cofl  an  equal  fum,  - 


38,846 


1 1 


Plan  by  B.  H.  Latrobe^  civil  Architect  and  Engineer. 

For  the  Fundamental  School,  40.OCO 
The  School  of  Artillerifts  and  Engineers, 
fuppofed  to  coft  an  equal  fum,  -  40,000 

8o;ooo 

It  may  be  proper  to  remind  the  Committee  that  no 
appropriation  for  the  fchool  of  engineers  and  artillerifts 
will  be  required  perhaps  thefe  two  years,  or  till  after  the 
completion  of  the  Fundamental  School. 

The  Secretary  takes  occafion  alfo  to  mention,  that 
the  laws  have  already  made  provifion  for  four  teachers 
or  profefibrs  to  the  artillerifts  and  engineers,  at  a  falary 
of  eighty  dollars  per  month,  and  two  rations  per  day, 
which  maybe  confidered  equivalent  to  four  thoufarid 
three  hundred  and  thirty  fix  dollars,  and  forty-fix  cents 
per  annum,  and  that  the  a£t  providing  for  raifing  and 
organizinga  corps  of  artillerifts  and  engineers,  pafled  the 
9th  May,  1794?  makes  it  "  the  duty  of  the  Secretary 
of  War  to  provide,  at  the  public  expence,  under  fuch 
regulations,  as  mall  be  directed  by  the  Prefident  of  the 
United  States,  the  neceffary  books,  inftruments,  and 
apparatus  for  the  ufeand  benefit  of  the  faid -corps." 

According  to  the  plan  and  eftimate  of  the  buildings 
by  Mr.  Foncin,  the  two  fchools  will  coft  thirty-eight 
thoufand  eight-hundred  and  forty-fix  dollars. 

According  to  the  plan  and  eflimate  by  Mr.  Latrobe, 
the  two  fchools  will  coft  eighty  thoufand  dollars. 

The  modification  of  the  two  regiments  of  artillerifts 
and  engineers,  will  liberate  twenty  thoufand  nine  hun- 
dred and  fifty-five  dollars  annually. 

The  eftablifnment  of  the  two  fchools  will  liberate!^ 
falaries  of  ths  four  teachers  before  mentioned,  or^ur 
thoufand  three  hundred  and  thirty-fix  dollars  ap*llahy. 

The  books,  apparatus  and  inftruments  dire^d  to  be 
provided  for  the  ufe  of  the  artillerifts  anfKngineers, 
are  confidered  as  an  adequate  offset t  for  books,  ap- 
paratus and  inftruments  required  for-ne  li*e  of  the 


12 


fchools ;  confequently  no  charge  has  been  flated  in  the 
cftimate  for  thefe  objects. 

If,  therefore,  we  oppofe  the  fums  thus  annually  li- 
berated to  the  annual  falary  of  the  profeffors  and  ori- 
ginal coft  of  the  buildings,  whichever  of  the  plans  is 
adopted,  we  {hall  find  the  meafure  propofed,  viewed 
merely  in  the  light  of  an  operation  of  finance,  to  refult 
in  a  confiderable  faving  to  the  United  States. 

An  individual  would  think  it  a  good  bargain  to  re- 
ceive twenty-five  thoufand  two  hundred  and  ninety- 
one  dollars,  annually,  the  fum  liberated,  and  to  give  in 
lieu  thereof  ten  thoufand  four  hundred  and  fixty-fix 
dollars,  annually,  the  falary  of  the  profeffors,  and  a 
principal  fum  equal  to  the  colt  of  the  buildings.  In 
other  words,  he  would  receive  fourteen  thoufand  feven 
hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars,  annually,  which  is 
equivalent  at  fix  per  cent,  to  a  capital  or  principal  of 
two  hundred  and  forty-five  thoufand  four  hundred  and 
fixteen  dollars ;  a  fum  greatly  exceeding  the  eflimated 
cofi:  of  the  buildings  upon  either  eflimate. 

The  committee  while  they  perceive  that  the  feed 
which  it  is  now  propofed  to  fow,  is  to  yield  a  future 
harvefl,  will  at  the  fame  time,  juftly  appreciate  the  va- 
rious beneficial  confequences  which  muft  refult  from 
the  immediate  adoption,  and  the  finking  inconvenien- 
cies  and  danger  to  be  apprehended  from  a  poflponement 
of  the  meafure. 

Whether  our  country  is  to  be  plunged  into  a  war  or 
enjoy  for  a  length  of  time  the  bleffings  of  peace  and  in- 
terior tranquility  ;  whether  the  portentous  events  which 
have  afflicted  Europe,  and  in  their  progrefs  threatened 
the  United  States  are  to  fubfide  into  a  fettled  {fate  of 
things;  whether  the  bleffings  of  peace  and  the  cuftoma- 
r>'  relations  among  the  transatlantic  powers,  are  to  take 
place  orhoflil  ities  fhall  be  continued  protracled  and 
exteno-d  beyond  their  prefent  limits,  in  either  view  it  is 
equally  «*fuggeftion  of  policy  and  wifdom  to  improve 
our  means  a*  defence,  and  give  as  much  perfection  as 
poflible  to  fu- n  eftablifhments  as  may  be  conceived 


effential  to  the  maintenance  of  our  rights  and  fecurity 
from  infults. 

The  unavoidable  collifions  growing  out  of  trade  and 
the  reciprocal  reftrictions  of  great  commercial  Itaies; 
the  apprehenfions  and  jeaioufies  natural  to  powers  pos- 
feffing  contiguous  territory;  the  inefficacy  of  religion  and 
morality  to  controul  the  paflions  of  men,  or  the  intereft 
and  ambition  of  nations;  the  impoffibility  at  times,  for 
governments  to  adjufl  their  differences  or  preferve  their 
rights  without  making  facrifices  more  to  be  dreaded 
than  the  hazards  and  calamities  of  war;  all  thefe 
confiderations,  illuftrated  by  volumes  of  examples,  teach 
the  foundnefs  of  the  axiom,  Si  vis  pacem  para  helium. 
And  what  time  more  proper  to  prepare  the  materials  for 
war,  than  a  lime  of  peace,  or  more  urgent  than  that 
fn  which  a  nation  is  threatened  with  war. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

With  the  greateft  refpeft, 

Sir, 

Your  moft  obedient  fervant, 

JAMES  M'HENRY, 
Secretary  of  War. 

Harrifon  G.  Otis,  Efq. 
Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Defence. 


mm 


i£x  ICtbrtH 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  book 

Because  it  has  been  said 
"  Ever'tbinQ  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  book." 


ON  l   H~n  <«>       Box    5  2. 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Sfymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


